A potent and theatrical adaptation of Bram Stoker's classic horror novel that is strongly faithful to the original, Centenary Stage Company opens the 2018 – 19 main stage theatrical season with Bram Stoker’s Dracula adapted and directed by Charles Morey. The production opens October 12 and runs through October 28 in the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ. The cast features many returning Centenary Stage Company favorites, as well as, introduces several new faces to CSC audiences.
The cast is led by Centenary Stage Company Artistic Director Carl Wallnau as Dr. Van Helsing (photo). Wallnau’s recent acting credits include Dr. Watson in The Hound of the Baskervilles and Pandarus in Troilus and Cressida (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, and Mr. Mayhew in Witness for the Prosecution (Bristol Riverside). He has worked at numerous regional theaters including Paper Mill Playhouse, The Arden Theatre, Second Stage (NYC), The Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, Hartford Stage, Bristol Riverside, Premiere Stages, and Orlando Shakespeare Company among many others including the first National Tour of Titanic. He has directed numerous productions at CSC including world, American and New Jersey premieres and has been cited for outstanding direction in productions of Springtime for Henry, Ladies Man and Quartermaine’s Terms among others. In addition to serving as Artistic Director of the Centenary Stage Company, Mr. Wallnau serves as Professor of Theatre Arts and Chairman of the Communications and Fine Arts Department for Centenary University.
Returning to Centenary Stage Company as Reinfield is Gary Littman. CSC audiences will remember Littman from his turn as Jonathan Waxman in the CSC production of Poetry of Pizza. Littman’s other credits include extensive work in film, television and both NYC and regional Theatre. Film/Television work includes HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and Show Me a Hero, as well as, work on STARZ Power and Amazon’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Off-Broadway credits include work at The York Theatre, The Davenport Theatre and Jewish Repertory among many others. Regionally Mr. Littman has worked at such theaters including Portland Stage, Bickford Theatre, Premiere Stages, Florida Studio Theatre, Flatrock Playhouse and many others.
Centenary Stage Company’s own Christopher John Young (photo) joins the cast as Jonathan Harker. CSC audiences will remember Young from such productions as Harvey, The Learned Ladies, The Nether, Start Down and The Liar. Additionally, Young spent two summer seasons as a company actor with the Monomoy Theatre in Chatham, MA and one season as a resident actor at the Oxford Shakespeare Festival in Oxford, MS. Other work includes productions with Dreamcatcher Repertory Theatre, 12 Miles West, Alliance Repertory Theatre and Vampire Cowboys (NYC). Recent film credits include; My Dad and Bob Todd, Hunter’s Weekend, Hotel (winner Best Actor, Atlantic City Cinefest and streaming on Amazon Prime), Jess Archer Versus (streaming on Amazon Prime) and Star Crossed Lovers.
Fresh off of last season’s critically acclaimed Hitler’s Tasters, Emaline Williams joins the cast as Mina Harker. Recent credits include work at The Bickford Theatre, The Growing Stage, Alliance Repertory Theatre, Vampire Cowboys (NYC) and a summer season as a company actor with the Monomoy Theatre in Chatham, MA. Recent film credits include; Some Space, A Thousand Words, Hunter’s Weekend, Hotel (streaming on Amazon Prime), Jess Archer Versus (streaming on Amazon Prime) and Star Crossed Lovers.
Also returning to Centenary Stage Company as Dr. Seward is Nicholas Wilder. Centenary Stage Company audiences will remember Wilder from the 2016 production of Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Jersey Lily (Professor Moriarty). Other credits include work at The Pearl Theatre, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Winnipesaukee Playhouse, Forestburgh Playhouse and many others.
New to Centenary Stage Company and taking on the title role of Dracula is Marc LeVasseur. LeVasseur’s extensive credits include work in film, television, as well as, on New York and regional stages. Film and television work includes work on NBC’s Law and Order: SVU, Comedy Central and Discovery. Off-Broadway work includes productions with the Metropolitan Playhouse, Red Bull Theatre, Pearl Theatre Company, the Flea Theatre and TACT Saloon Series among others. Regional work includes work at Titan Theatre Company, Queens Theatre, Lantern Theatre, Peoples Light, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Peterborough Players and Aquila Theatre Company.
Peter Kendall and Haley Barna also join the principle cast as Arthur Holmwood and Lucy Westenra respectively. Both are new comers to the CSC stage. Kendall’s work includes film/television with regional theatre credits including, the Bickford Theatre, Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, Alliance Repertory Theatre, The Theatre Project and Shakespeare in the Valley. Barna is a recent graduate of Hofstra University holding a BFA in Theatre Performance. The ensemble cast is led by Charlotte Harvey as Mrs. Westenra and David H. Littleton as Coachman/Swales/Reporter et. El. Rounding out the ensemble cast is Ally Borgstrom, Kathryn Pedersen and Centenary University students Nick Bettens, Joseph Anselmo, Brianna Morris, and Julia Stibich.
The creative team behind Charles Morey’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula includes playwright and director Charles Morey, scenic designer Tim Golebiewski, lighting designer Ed Matthews, costume/make-up designer Ashleigh Poteat, sound/projection designer Chet Miller, special FX/fight choreographer Stephen Davis, dialect coach Julie Foh, stage manager Danielle Constance and company manager Sonya Thiel.
Tickets for Bram Stoker’s Dracula adapted and directed by Charles Morey range from $25.00 to $29.50 for adults and vary by performance date. Performances will be held in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center located at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ 07840 on the campus of Centenary University. Performances are Fridays, October 12, 19 and 26 at 8PM; Saturdays, October 13, 20 and 27 at 8PM; Sundays, October 14, 21 and 28 at 2PM; Thursdays, October 18 and 25 at 7:30PM and Wednesdays, October 17 and 24 at 2PM. Thursday evening performances are a Buy One/Get One Rush Ticket Special when purchased in person at the Centenary Stage Company box office beginning at 5:30PM. BOGO offer not valid for advance ticket sales. Wednesday matinee performances CSC offers a buffet matinee for groups of 25 or more. Centenary Stage Company also offers discounted rates for groups, students, alumni, faculty and staff. Call the Centenary Stage Company box office directly for more information.
For tickets or more information visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company at (908) 979 – 0900. The box office is located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 1 – 5PM and two hours prior to every performance. Centenary Stage Company can also be found on social media platforms; Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Like and follow to receive the latest in Centenary Stage Company news and special offers.
The 2018-2019 season of performing arts events at the Centenary Stage Company is made possible through the generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, the Shubert Foundation, the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, the Sandra Kupperman Foundation, and CSC corporate sponsors, including Premier Season Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, The House of the Good Shepherd, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Medical Center, Home Instead Senior Care (Washington), Fulton Bank of New Jersey, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.
